City officials help brew up craft beer growth

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Have a beer, help the economy? That seems to be the idea in some cities that have rushed to embrace craft brewers.

The craft brewing scene is bubbling over in Minnesota, just as it is across the country. And much of that growth has been driven by city officials.

In Minneapolis, Fulton Beer president Ryan Petz says city leaders tweaked city ordinances and zoning codes to help pave the way for his brewery and others. Mayor R.T. Rybak says the city has done all it can to support new breweries. He says they can draw tourists and help with economic development.